20 February 2017

Donald Trump may have dyslexia

This video presents a very interesting proposition: that Donald Trump has difficulty reading. He has admitted - publicly and unabashedly - that he "doesn't" read (books, reports, briefings) and prefers to get his information from television. Examples are presented of him appearing to have problems reading when presented with documents during court testimony and public signings.

I think it's unfortunate that the video title questions whether Trump "knows how" to read. The problem, presuming it exists, would be a reading disability rather than a lack of knowledge of how to read. It would also explain his famously low-reading-level speech as being easier to memorize or to read off a teleprompter.

Dyslexia does not preclude advancement or competence in professions. Wikipedia's List of people diagnosed with dyslexia is long and impressive, including Alexander Graham Bell, Richard Branson, Lewis Carroll, Thomas Edison, David Rockefeller and many others.

If he is dyslexic, he really ought to come out and say so, and tell his staff that that is why he has avoided the morning briefings, and make arrangements for information to be presented to him in other ways. A public announcement would probably garner a measure of sympathy and perhaps some improved tolerance for his shenanigans.

23 comments:

Functionally illiterate, I assume. May be because of dyslexia, or failure to learn in childhood. My father was this, could get by, but badly. Never read a book. Low comprehension, very defensive. When I was in Gulf War I I got a letter from him, it was... telling. Maybe 3rd or 4th grade level.

Trump would NEVER admit having dyslexia or any learning disability. He would never admit to being less than 100 percent perfect in ANY way.

And, truthfully, even if he did admit he had an LD, that wouldn't excuse his horrific off-the-cuff statements, behaviors, and choices of cabinet members.

I think, more to the point, that we should be looking into the theory that his insane behavior could be caused by untreated syphilis. He brags about how sexually active he was, and that was during a time frame where syphilis made a resurgence. And you just KNOW that someone like Trump wasn't going to minimize his own pleasure by "wrapping it up." We never did get a legitimate medical report on him, after all.

Trump may have succeeded in school, the same way he wrote his books--with lots of help. Would not be the first example of a student propped-up, in any way necessary, when families have the motivation and mean$. But, it is also a testament to Trump's creativity/instinct/chutzpah if he pulled this off.

I've been looking at this blog for years. (4 or 5?) The only one I visit. Wonderful! Awesome! Etc.! Thanks!

You can graduate from an Ivy League school with a learning disability like dyslexia. I thought the post was very even handed. Pointing out an interesting thing about the president isn't liberal or biased, it's consistent with a blog dedicated to pointing out interesting things.

"Pointing out an interesting thing about the president isn't liberal or biased,"

Is it biased and even handed to assert that admitting to dyslexia would "probably garner...some improved tolerance for his shenanigans." ( 1 : a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose. 2a : tricky or questionable practices or conduct —usually used in plural. 2b : high-spirited or mischievous activity —usually used in plural. Merriam-Webster)

If his actions are in the category of shenanigans, why should they be tolerated? On the other hand, if his actions are the result of a learning disability, they would not be shenanigans.

I think this blog is most interesting when it avoids any political bias, liberal, conservative, left, right, libertarian, authoritarian, etc.

@ David G. Graduating from an Ivy League school means what? We already know children on passed and passed in school and many graduate from high school without being able to read well or at all. There are tutors in college who do work for others and get paid. So, that Ivy League thing really doesn't mean too much regarding reading or not.

I have a teaching license K12 reading, and completed most of a masters in learning disabilities. I taught reading to people with learning disabilities for six years. These videos really don't convince me that Trump can't read. I think he can read and chooses not to. I think it's often difficult to focus on reading when you are put on the spot, in front of cameras. I don't know. I don't like him, but the whole "Trump can't read" thing seems like fake news.

I am dyslexic and the problem with public speaking you can't compensate for it unless you memorize the speech or adlib it. He has worked on his speeches and it still comes out like the video. I've been there.

He may not know he has dyslexia and/or ADHD. One in 5 people worldwide have dyslexia and ADHD is a common co-morbidity. Dyslexia is a brain-based disability that impacts language-based learning. It has nothing to do with intelligence. This video does a good job explaining it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE3DqJP-nkI&feature=youtu.be

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